I couldn’t commit past the first 20 minutes, it’s a Harry/Woody Allen bumbling “y’know” pity party. So self indulgent. Don’t waste your time.
Women, writing and ego. An honest semi self portrayal mixed with the usual Woody odd humour and character. Edited in a way that gives cinematic suprise but also great characterisation. It's like a glimpse into Harry's brain where he captures the most cinematic moments and situations are just potential stories as fuel for his stories. Surrealism is also used. Everyone around Harry is merely a potential character in the world of Harry's writing. But Harry is a character created by Harry himself to escape responsibility, although he doesn't truly see that. A character happy to sexualise and use woman and be an artistic stereotype as long as he doesn't have to take real responsibility and grow up. His existence provides him with the women, lifestyle and the mental state he needs to feel important. His selfish world clashes with his relationships and it causes situations. Situations he can write about. It's a cycle of a man happy to be his own stereotype. He doesn't deal with criticism but he just analyses. The surrealism is the glue that ends the movie well and reveals how Harry perceived the people/ characters.
The actual plot is nothing special but the dialogue and character of Harry are great.
Allen shows real talent at capturing his own character and adding to it.
Deconstructing Harry is about a writer who feels frustrated with his life and he only seems to function in the fiction world of his books. Harry is creative but is life is a mess.
The story is great, always switching from reality to fiction. Very funny and smart.
The editing in this film is very interesting, very different than what Woody Allen usually to do.
I really loved the idea of the "out-of-focus" actor, it was brilliant! Woody Allen is a great writer and very loyal to his own style and I admire that.
Shout by BronsonBlockedParent2022-05-22T11:41:27Z— updated 2023-01-14T18:04:44Z
Another great movie by Woody Allen. Deconstructing Harry is a fairly standard comedy for him, which means it is finding humor in subject matter heavy enough for a drama. What makes this film stand out is the sudden shifts from Harry's reality, to fiction, to flashbacks, and not always being sure of which is which - we even get to visit Hell, where Billy Crystal is Satan. Probably not the best place for a new Woody Allen fan to begin, but anyone who already loves his movies will love this one too.